FL0MCULTURAL GLEANINGS. 81 



carpet in the calm quiet of solitude ; but it is perhaps only when 

 standing by the side of a well-regulated tulip-bed that he sees all 

 other beauties "hide their diminished heads ;" that he feels himself 

 to be only a short-sighted being of secondary importance, and that 

 he is in the immediate presence of the divine Artist. There is so 

 much to wonder at and admire ! so much contrast ! from the pale 

 lilac to the dark purple, — from the 'gaudy yellow to 'the beauteous 

 rose, — from the delicate feather to the heavy flame, — from the pretty 

 pillar to the finest pencilling — all, all is beautiful variety ! What 

 but the hand of Omnipotence could effect it ! We are tempted to 

 exclaim with our favourite Thomson, — 



These as they change, Almighty Father, these 

 Are but the varied God. The rolling year 

 Is full of thee. 



From speaking thus generally, we must descend to particulars for the 

 information of the " Juvenile Florist," whose query has drawn from 

 our pen the present remarks on the "properties of this favourite 

 flower. 



Much has been said of late years on the properties of the Tulip, 

 and much misunderstanding has existed on the subject. The 

 Northumberland, or rather, I should say, the north country amateurs 

 generally, have been much calumniated and misrepresented respect- 

 ing their supposed attachment to foul bottomed but finely marked 

 flowers ; for as I have said, on a former occasion, foul bottomed 

 flowers are not tolerated at all here as show-flowers; and I cannot 

 help thinking that the time is now come when all florists will agree 

 in admitting that a perfectly pure bottom is the true substratum on 

 which to build the superstructure of a fine Tulip. Without it a 

 Tulip is not fit for exhibition, it is not worth cultivating and much 

 less is it worthy of a price. The " Juvenile Florist " must therefore 

 bear in mind that a perfectly pure bottom is one of the first and 

 most essential requisites ; and this will naturally excite his wonder 

 why Louis XVI. should be catalogued at eight or ten guineas, since, 

 it is rarely if ever possessed of this indispensable property. 



After having purchased a stock of the purest varieties, he will find 

 that the marking of the petals depends partly on adventitious cir- 

 cumstances. If he is induced to grow them in an enriched soil for 

 the purpose of having strong blooms, large bulbs, and a speedy 



